The all-new 2018 Honda Odyssey features the company's modern "flying wing" grille and a sportier-looking front bumper.

This month, the 2018 Honda Odyssey rolls into dealerships completely redesigned with a more powerful engine, nine and 10-speed transmissions and several interior innovations.

The front of the best-selling minivan receives an all-new face resembling the rest of the current Honda lineup featuring the chrome “flying wing” grille and sporty mesh elements in the bumper air intakes. Instead of the visually jarring sliding door tracks dominating the rear fender, they have been incorporated and effectively hidden in the bottom of the rear quarter panel windows. The C-shaped taillights now wrap around the chrome garnish located on the power tailgate.

Comfort and convenience are two areas the automaker has focused heavily on. The infotainment system, controlled by an eight-inch high-resolution Display Audio touchscreen, has built-in Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to make smartphone connectivity a breeze. The monitor is also paired to a camera mounted in the interior so drivers can see what passengers are up to. Front and rear occupants can even communicate with each other over the CabinTalk PA system.

People riding along in the back will likely be too busy to talk, however, thanks to the entertainment setup. A 10.2-inch screen is mounted on the ceiling that users can stream content to via a downloadable app for mobile devices. In-vehicle 4G LTE WiFi is optional.

The second row seating is where the magic really happens. Dubbed Magic Slide, they can be configured in multiple positions. These include Easy Access mode that slides the centre seat forward and out of the way, Super mode moving the driver’s side seat forward, and Wide mode removing the centre seat and pushing the flanking pair outwards, all in the name of making passenger transitions and cargo carrying a painless process.

The 3.5-litre V6 engine produces 280 horsepower, 32 more than the outgoing model, and is paired to a nine-speed gearbox for all trims except Touring. The top-of-the-line grade receives an ultra-efficient 10-speed transmission helping the vehicle achieve an estimated fuel economy rating of 12.6 L/100 km in the city and 8.5 L/100 km on the highway.

About the Author

Benjamin Yong is a freelance journalist and communications professional living in Richmond, B.C. He is often found writing about cars and the auto industry, amongst other things, or driving around in his work-in-progress 1990 Mazda MX-5.